Heat coach Erik Spoelstra won NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February with a league-best 11-2 record. The Knicks submitted Mike D’Antoni for nomination but he fell short despite getting recent waiver-wire players Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak to ignite a current 10-3 surge.

The Knicks finished 10-5 for the month but have become a different team since D’Antoni placed Lin in charge of his speedball offense that gives great freedom to point guards. He would’ve been an imaginative choice for the award, considering the Knicks coach has gone from the firing line to guiding a club that is in the international spotlight, having become a marked team because of the Linsanity craze. D’Antoni has also dealt with an ever-evolving roster.

Spoelstra is coaching the same group that made The Finals last season and the adjustment to the quick training camp has not been as severe. Spoelstra also is in charge of a club that has undeniably the best talent in the NBA with All-Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the roster.

While the Knicks made their big surge, D’Antoni was without Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire for part of the run.

The Heat beat the Knicks last Thursday, likely sealing the deal. Spolestra finished the month on an eight-game winning streak, with all eight wins coming by double figures.

The Spurs’ Gregg Popovich was voted Western Conference Coach of the Month.